Wheel alignment for high speeds
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 1,190
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Wheel alignment for high speeds
I am building a car that I hope to run in a standing start one mile top speed event. The car has basically stock C4 suspension front and rear and speeds will be in the 150 to 170 mph range. I am looking for suggestions from anyone who has run a C4 in this type of event for a good starting point for wheel alignment specifications.
Thanks,
Charles
Thanks,
Charles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I'd think you want to run some degree of toe "in" for it to be safe at high speeds. Here is an (1/4 mile) article that may produce insights into 1 mile events as well.
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ics/index.html
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ics/index.html
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: Laguna Niguel California
I have run a lot of cars at very high speeds for long durations over the years. I am not familiar with the geometry changes of the rear tires on theses car during hard acceleration, but here is what I would do for a standing mile.
Front
Camber: 0 degrees to -.2
Toe: 1/16 to 1/8 toe out. (This will help with stability, don't set the toe to 0.)
Caster: I would have them set it at the low end of spec. This will make the steering less responsive. Normally I max caster and match it side to side. Personal preference. If all goes well you shouldn't be turning much.
Rear
Camber: 0 degrees (maybe a little positive is camber drops off under load)
Toe: 1/16 in
Interesting topic.
Front
Camber: 0 degrees to -.2
Toe: 1/16 to 1/8 toe out. (This will help with stability, don't set the toe to 0.)
Caster: I would have them set it at the low end of spec. This will make the steering less responsive. Normally I max caster and match it side to side. Personal preference. If all goes well you shouldn't be turning much.
Rear
Camber: 0 degrees (maybe a little positive is camber drops off under load)
Toe: 1/16 in
Interesting topic.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 3
From: amarillo tx
alignment
hi, i do open road racing at high speeds. i have played with alignment settings for a long time and found these to be the best for me. front end; 7 1/2 degree caster, 2 mm neg. camber and 1 mm of total toe in. rear end; 1/2 mm of toe out and 2 mm of neg. camber. these numbers give me great handling at full speed. i take my vettes to an alignment shop to get a general alignment around those numbers and then take it home and start the tweeking. it will take me about 6 hours to re-do the alignment in my garage with home made equipment. my 91 has 15,000 miles on it and the 95 has about 55,000 miles. the front and rear end parts must be in top condition with no wear in them. both cars have about 500 lbs spring rate on the front and about 300 lbs spring rate on the rear. these rates tend to damage the kidneys a little at low speeds. hope that this helps. see ya
